Modified Pediatric Penile Perception Scale to Evaluate Cosmetic Outcome in Children With Hypospadias Repair

Objectives: To compare the interpretation for cosmesis post-hypospadias repair by child, parents and surgeons using modified Pediatric Penile Perception Scale (PPPS). Methods: This cross-sectional study involving 50 children (aged 2 to 17 years) with hypospadias was conducted at the pediatric surgery department of our public sector tertiary care hospital. Subjects were assessed 6 months after completion of all stages of hypospadias repair. Cosmetic assessment was done using modified PPPS. We clubbed together the variables ‘meatus’ and ‘glans’ as MG (meatus-glans) complex due to their extreme proximity (embedding), while cosmesis of phallus was considered independently. The modified PPPS scoring parameters included phallus, MG complex, shaft skin, and general appearance. Independent assessment by surgeon, patients and parents was compared, and analyzed using SAS 9.2 statistical software. Cosmetic results of single vs staged repair, and different repair types was compared. Results: Assessment using modified PPPS showed that MG complex cosmesis and skin scarring were the most heeded parameters by all three categories of observers. PPPS by surgeons remained least affected by phallic cosmesis and that of the patient by the overall phallic appearance. Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) scored better on cosmesis. Conclusion: Phallic cosmesis should be considered an independent variable for assessing cosmetic outcome of hypospadias, apart from MG cosmesis.

Demographic And Socioeconomic Profile Of Female Domestic Workers In An Urban Slum Of Central Delhi– A Mixed Method Study.

Background: Labour pool engaged in informal or the unorganised sector is stillamong the least investigated employment conditions in ambit of public health research. Present study aimed to assess the living conditions and physical health profile of female domestic workers in an urban slum of central Delhi. Methods: A pretested questionnaire was used in a house to house survey of an urban slum to interview 100 women working as domestic help assessing their socio–demography and working conditions. Besides, in depth interviews were performed for key informants (n=10) to get detailed assessment of working conditions. Results:A large proportion of female domestic workers in the study sample were in late thirties. Although majority were literate but found it as most apt job. Majority were currently married and supporting families ranging from 2–15 members. In about 15% of the families they were the only ead winner of the family.Majority were migrants in Delhi from other northern states of India and few were cross border migrants. Majority of the subjects live in insanitary environment. Job security and job satisfaction are very low. Often at times they are subjected to long working hours and excessively arduous tasks. Discussion: Participants in our study were all from low socioeconomic status living and working in deplorable situation. Conclusion:More research in this issue as any other occupation in formal or informal sector is recommended.

Breastfeeding and an overweight child: A linkage.

Assunção ML, Ferreira HS, Coutinho SB, Santos LM, Horta BL. (Postgraduate Programme in Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas; Postgraduate Programme in Child and Adolescent Health, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco; Department of Public Health, University of Brasília, Brasília, Federal District; Postgraduate Programme in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.) Protective effect of breastfeeding against overweight can be detected as early as the second year of life: A study of children from one of the most sociallydeprived areas of Brazil. J Health Popul Nutr 2015;33:85–91.

Beliefs and perceptions about cancers among patients attending radiotherapy OPD in Delhi, India.

The prevalence of beliefs and myths amongst cancer patients is a reflection of the level of knowledge in the community regarding cancer. Such beliefs influence the health seeking behaviour of patients and may lead to delay in seeking medical care. The present study revealed that myths and misconceptions are widely prevalent among cancer patients in India. The perception regarding causation of cancer among cancer patients varied from curses, evil eye and spirits to past sins. Only one third of the patients believed that cancer can be detected in its early stages and that it can be cured. The average time taken by patients to report to a doctor after suspecting their disease was 2 years. The majority of patients held fatalistic views about the outcome of cancer. Most (60%) were being discriminated against by their family and society. All these findings highlight that despite considerable medical knowledge of risk factors and treatment modalities, possible social-behavioral strategies for the prevention and control of cancer have not been adequately addressed, especially among South Asian patients.

Study of hand hygiene and enteroparasite infestation among food handlers working in a medical college of North India.

The present study was conducted to assess: 1) Prevalence of enteroparasite infestation among food handlers working in food service establishments located in the campus of a medical college, 2) Presence of enteric organisms on their hands and nails and their hand washing practices. A total of 151 food handlers were interviewed regarding their socio-demographic and professional characteristics. Their hand washing practices were also observed. Stool examination for enteroparasites and stool culture for Salmonella & Shigella and culture of nail clippings / nail bed swabs for detecting presence of enteric organisms were also carried out. Prevalence of enteroparasite infestation was observed to be 41.1%. None of the stool samples was observed to be positive for Salmonella or Shigella. Enteric organisms were isolated from nail clippings/nail bed swab samples of 76 (73.1%) study subjects. Hand washing practices were observed to be poor with low use of soap. Findings highlight importance of periodic stool examination and deworming of food handlers and need to educate them about importance of maintaining hand hygiene with a focus on improving their hand washing practices.

Qualitative study of wild polio cases in high risk districts of Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: India has implemented a polio eradication strategy which includes national immunization days and house-to-house visits. While there has been a reduction in wild polio cases, a few districts in some states continue to harbour the virus. We did a qualitative survey in certain districts of western Uttar Pradesh to determine the reasons for continued occurrence of wild polio cases. METHODS: Five districts of western Uttar Pradesh were selected where 10 confirmed cases of polio were studied in their local settings using qualitative tools. RESULTS: All 10 cases were below 5 years of age and belonged to the poor socioeconomic group. Except 3, all had received some doses of oral polio vaccine before the onset of illness. The majority of parents had a 'feeling of guilt' and blamed the 'bad destiny of their child' for the disease. There was a strong belief that the 'polio vaccine is mixed with substances which can cause infertility' and that it was 'used for a particular community'. CONCLUSION: Prevailing misconceptions and adverse attitudes to the polio vaccine need to be tackled urgently and sensitively to make the programme successful.